By means of a quantitative strategy this study contrasts the reality of three hypotheses that nowadays claim the need to add the participation of the privately administered schools in Chile. The main conclusions are: the diversity contributed by the private subsidized schools is only to segment their objectives, missions and visions according to the socio-economic status. Furthermore, they favor the acquisition of habits and discipline instead of the academic excellence in the middle-lower and lower sectors. Compared to the private subsidized schools, the municipal establishments in the middle-lower and lower sectors offer a more effective education with regard to the school results There are not significant differences between both school systems and in many variables the small differences favored the municipal schools.